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About

P. P. Pedersen is a leading figure in the search for temperate, Earth-sized exoplanets, specializing in the detection and atmospheric characterization of planets orbiting ultracool dwarf stars. As a key member of the SPECULOOS (Search for habitable Planets EClipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars) project, Pedersen has been instrumental in designing and operating a global network of robotic 1-meter telescopes. Their major contributions include spearheading the development and performance analysis of SPECULOOS-South at ESO Paranal (41 citations) and establishing the SPECULOOS Northern Observatory (32 citations), both dedicated to surveying the nearest, smallest stars for transiting terrestrial worlds. Pedersen’s work has directly shaped the project’s target list and observational strategy, with the flagship survey paper accumulating over 105 citations. By identifying planets ideally suited for atmospheric study with the James Webb Space Telescope, Pedersen’s research bridges the gap between discovery and detailed characterization, paving the way for humanity’s first glimpse into the atmospheres of potentially habitable exoplanets. Their five-year review of the project (2024) underscores a sustained, high-impact career at the frontier of exoplanet science.